Whenever I watch a pilot episode for any show I always keep in mind that this is a shows first shy (or sometimes overly ambitious) step into what is hoped will be a wildly successful series. So, with that mindset I dove into Shadowhunters with an open mind. I'm not sure how much of my opinions are colored by the fact that I've read the books, but I left the pilot feeling hopeful.
Did it have flaws? Yes. Did it feel rushed and disjointed? Yes. Did the characters feel wooden and awkward? A bit. Was I surprised by any of this? Not at all. Most show pilots I've watched (and there are a lot of them) start this way.
Overall, I felt it did an okay job of introducing the world and the main players. We got a quick glimpse at each characters' personality and quirks. I'm still on the fence about Clary's mom actually wanting to explain everything to her, but it's likely a small change that won't have a lasting effect. Speaking of changes, I might be one of the few people who doesn't mind when a TV show or movie drift away from the source material. This hasn't always been the case. I used to get rather bent out of shape over even minor changes to the original. Then I grew up, started a Masters program in screen writing, and realized there are so many reasons for these changes. Also, I learned to love the differences. It was like seeing something new in a familiar setting.
I'm interested in the thoughts of those of you who haven't read the books? Were you able to follow along? Did you grasp the basic idea of the show? Did you get lost halfway through and change the channel?
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